City of God

Story line :


City of God is based on a true story that takes place in the 60's where in the slums of Rio De Janeiro two boys growing up in the neighborhood take on different paths in life. The story is told through eyes of Rocket, a poor young fisherman's son who dreams of becoming a photographer one day. His story narrates the violence and corruption surrounding the city and the rise and fall of one of the city's most notorious boss, Li'l Ze. As war wages on the streets Rocket's only way out of this violent life is to expose its brutality the world through his pictures. Along the way the lives of other are put into perspective as their stories intersect with the events that take place.

Directed by : Fernando Meirelles

                   Katia Lund (co-directer)

Writing Credits : Paulo Lins (novel)

                        Braulio Mantavani (screenplay)

Cast : 

• Alexander Rodrigues as Rocket
• Leandro Firmino as Li'l Ze
• Phellipe Haagensen as Benny
• Douglas Silva as Li'l Dice
• Jonathan Haagensen as Shaggy
• Matheus Nachtergaele as Carrot
• Seu Jorge as Knockout Ned

Comment : 


  In this movie, which took place over the course of over two decades, City of God tells the story of a lower class quarter west of Rio de Janeiro which is a poor developed country that suffers from hardcore poverty. We can also see that poverty could effect the country and its citizens in such unimaginably way. 


  Poverty forces someone to do something that is unreasonable or brutal in order to survive such as robs motels and gas trucks. Poverty also can lead to killing. It can be seen when Li'l Dice had convinced Shaggy, Clipper and Goose which is known as the 'Tender Trio' to hold up a motel and rob its occupants. The gang agree but resolving not to kill anyone and tell Li'l Dice that he is too young to accompany them and must serve as lookout. He is also given a gun for the purpose of fire a warning shot if the police arrive. Unfortunately, Li'l Dice didn't do as what the gang told him to do but instead he gun down all the inhabitants of the motel once have ran off. 


   The movie fast forwards a number of years. Li'l Dice now calls himself Li'l Zé  and along with his childhood friend Benny, he establishes a drug empire by eliminating all of the competition except for a drug dealer named Carrot. A relative peace has come over City of God under the reign of Li'l Zé who plans to eliminate his last rival, Carrot, against the judgment of his best friend Benny, who is keeping the peace. At one point, his best friend and partner in crime Benny has decided to become a "playboy" and becomes the coolest guy in City of God. Eventually, along with the girl that he has wooed away from Rocket, he decides to leave the criminal life behind to live on a farm. However, he is gunned down at his going away party by former drug dealer, Blackie, who is actually aiming for Li'l Zé. Benny was the only thing keeping Li'l Ze from taking over Carrot's business, so now Carrot is in danger. 

  Coming full circle, Rocket is startled by Li'l Zé's request that he take a picture of the gang which had been chasing the chicken at the beginning of the film. Before he can, however, a gunfight ensues between the two gangs, but is broken up by the police which had been chasing the chicken at the beginning of the film. Then, Li'l Zé and Carrot are arrested and Carrot is taken away to be shown to the press. Li'l Zé is shaken down for money, humiliated and finally released, all of which is secretly photographed by Rocket. After the cops leave, the Runts (a gang of young children who robbed and terrorized the local merchants) come to Li'l Zé, shoot and kill him in retribution for him killing one of their gang earlier in the film. Rocket takes pictures of Li'l Zé's dead body and goes to the newspaper.

  The story ends with the Runts walking around the City of God, making a hit list of the dealers they plan to kill to take over their drug business.